Calligraphy repairs
Since returning home to Perth I’m rediscovering treasures hidden away in the shed whilst we were gone. It’s been about 2 and a half years since my Royal Show Ribbon winning calligraphy piece went for a dip in the swimming pool. I needed to take some catalogue photos, and had laid it out on the only area of paving long enough (it was a very long piece).
Of course the unthinkable happened.
A sudden gust of wind picked it up like a huge sail and threw it into the water. The duck thought it jolly good fun as I plunged in to rescue it.
What I was left with was a sodden mess of individual pages with non-waterproof inks running in all directions. The cat was rather enjoying herself as well,
as it all smelt so fishy when wet….
…that she just had to lick it. Not that it could get any wetter.
Treasures no more. Disgusted with myself, I threw it all on a shelf in the shed where it’s been drying out since July ’07. When I was looking for some nails in the shed I saw a piece poking out. Looking at them again with fresh eyes I thought it might be worth a go trying to repair some of the water damage. Of course it will never be like the original, but now it’s got “character lines”. The smudges and blurs will always be there, but it’s just more background for the calligraphy to sit upon. I pulled out my pens and got stuck in.
These are just some of the pieces -there are those that are just too far gone to be salvaged, and those that have had their shells damaged (which means more beachcombing to finish the repair job).
But at least it’s got me thinking about a piece for this year’s Royal Show – deadline for submissions in July. Time to sharpen those nibs!
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Beautiful calligraphy and lovely arrangements! So sorry about what happened, I think the water damage doesn’t look out of place though, it almost looks as though the water marks were intentional since the sea is the subject. I don’t know how you write in that swirly pattern and make it look so amazing!
Wow, these are absolutely beautiful. What a brilliant concept!
Oh how heart breaking Cindy, after all that work, but actually it just adds to the character of the pieces, especially as they have an ocean theme to them anyway. You are so talented!!!
What incredibly beautiful (and educational!) pieces these are! And kudos to you for bringing them out of storage to restore and share ; ). Lovely kitty, too~~
Thanks everyone for your kind words, I’m glad you liked the repairs.
I was at Calligraphy class today and we made Paste Paper – will get the photos sorted and write a post soon.
I am so glad you did not throw these amazing works away once they decided to defy you and go for a dip. I can only imagine how horrified you must have been at the time it happened, but when I look at what you have salvaged, the purity of your creativity and the beauty of your pen work it’s arresting. I have loved calligraphy but never managed to conquer the kind of control and precision it takes to create such flowing works of art.
Beautiful.
Beautiful , beautiful calligraphy and drawings, hope the wet one has recovered. Is the duck yours or just visiting? Good luck with the show!
i am in awe. isn’t it amazing that an accidental dip could make it more of a work of art. beautiful